Winnfield City Judge Keith Gates has officially announced his candidacy for District Attorney, pledging to bring experience, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a tough-on-crime approach to the office.

Gates, who currently serves as Winnfield City Judge, unveiled his campaign this week, highlighting nearly two decades of legal experience and public service as he seeks to become the parish’s next chief prosecutor.

A lifelong resident of Winn Parish, Gates earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern State University in 2004 before obtaining two law degrees from Louisiana State University in 2007.

His legal career has included service as Winnfield City Prosecutor from 2013 to 2020 and as Winnfield City Judge since 2021. He has also worked as a law clerk for a justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court and founded a law firm in Washington, D.C., focused on combating government corruption and waste.

In addition to his courtroom experience, Gates has taught as an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern State University and has instructed negotiation courses at Louisiana Tech University. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, and all Louisiana state courts.

Throughout his career, Gates has been active in professional organizations, including the Louisiana City Judges Association and the Louisiana Family and Juvenile Judges Association.
Outside of public service, Gates and his wife, Amber, are active members of First Baptist Church in Winnfield, where he serves as a deacon and pianist.

As part of his campaign announcement, Gates outlined several key priorities he says will guide his administration if elected District Attorney.

Among those priorities is a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Gates said he plans to operate the District Attorney’s Office efficiently and work closely with the Winn Parish Police Jury to control costs and avoid unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars.

He also emphasized a tough-on-crime philosophy, stating that habitual and violent offenders should face strong prosecution and sentencing.

“The people of Winn Parish should not have to worry about criminals stealing off their porches or harming their loved ones,” Gates said as part of his campaign platform.

Another major focus of his campaign is strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies, schools, churches, and community organizations. Gates said he believes collaboration is essential to preventing crime before it occurs and creating safer neighborhoods throughout Winn Parish.

Transparency within the District Attorney’s Office is also a cornerstone of his platform. Gates pledged to improve communication with crime victims and their families by ensuring they remain informed throughout the legal process while maintaining professionalism and efficiency in case management.

The District Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor for the judicial district, overseeing criminal prosecutions and working closely with local law enforcement agencies to uphold public safety.

As the election season unfolds, Gates says he looks forward to sharing his vision with voters and discussing how his experience and leadership can serve the people of Winn Parish.

The race for District Attorney is expected to draw significant attention as voters consider who will lead one of the parish’s most important public offices in the years ahead.